Ctags

Ctags is a program that generates an index (or tag) file of objects found in source and header files of various programming languages. Each of these tags signifies an object of the language for which an index entry is available. These tags allow items to be quickly and easily located by a text editor or other utility. Alternatively, there is also an output mode that generates a cross reference file, listing information about various objects found in a set of language files in human-readable form.

Tag index files are supported by most major and a couple of other editors, including:

• vi (and derivatives like Vim, vile, etc.)
• Emacs
• JED
• Zeus
• BBEdit 8

External links

• Exuberant ctags homepage
• Ctags on VMS